MSC still largest Transatlantic carrier after alliance reshuffles

Alphaliner’s Transatlantic review of the week is the first in-depth look at the trade since the alliance revamp of February, when MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company started a standalone network, while A.P. Moller - Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd AG teamed up in the Gemini Cooperation.

It elaborated in the review:

“We found that, based on the fleet deployed per operator, some carriers’ market share has been affected rather significantly year-on-year, while others have increased their Transatlantic footprint notably. 

“MSC remains the number one, with a slight increase, despite its recent divorce from Maersk and its new standalone approach. Maersk meanwhile deployed a lot more capacity than a year ago, albeit on a smaller scale than MSC, closing in on its Gemini partner Hapag-Lloyd, the current number two.

“Alphaliner’s calculations are based on the carrier fleet sizes operated on the Atlantic, not on weekly capacities in either direction. Our view includes ships of all services that offer a westbound connection from Europe or the Med to North America. It is worth keeping in mind that some of these loop by-pass North America on eastbound trips, which means our market shares correlate strongly with westbound capacities, but less so with the eastbound trade to Europe. 

“Despite splitting from its 2M-partner Maersk, MSC has increased its Atlantic market share slightly from 41.1% to 41.8% over the twelve months from July 2024 to July 2025. MSC now deploys a fleet of more than 500,000 TEU between Europe and North America.

“After MSC, Hapag-Lloyd remains the second largest carrier in the trade, with a market share of 14.9%. This is significantly lower than Hapag-Lloyd’s 19.6% share of July 2024.

“Gemini-partner Maersk, meanwhile, increased market share from 8.9% to 14.4%. Maersk retains the number three spot in the ranking of Transatlantic carriers and it even encroaches on Hapag-Lloyd, the current number two.”

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